Game Group, the video games retailer, has continued to buck high street gloom with a rise in underlying sales but its rate of sales growth has slowed.

The group said yesterday its sales for the 18 weeks to November 29 on a like-for-like basis, which strips out the impact of new space, increased 1.5 per cent against very tough comparative numbers in the same period last year.

Total group sales for the 18 weeks increased 9.3 per cent.

"Our previous guidance is unchanged and the board remains confident of a successful outcome for the year," Game added.